ABSTRACT
The Pedigree Dog – Aesthetics versus Ethics and Law
E.Anne McBride*, David Lamb and Rita Lewis
Applied Animal Behaviour Unit, School of Psychology, University of
Southampton, Southampton, SO17 1BJ.
Corresponding author: amcb@soton.ac.uk
Tel (+44) 2380 597483
Selective breeding of the domestic dog, Canis familiaris, has resulted in greater
morphological diversity than any other single species (Clutton-Brock, 1999). Initially
this selection was to satisfy functional requirements; however, the inception of dog
shows in the mid 19th century gave weight to the aesthetic perspective and in the late
20th and early 21st century this has become paramount.
Pedigree dogs are morphologically far removed from their progenitor, the wolf, and
some dogs appear to have paid a high price, as selective breeding has led to the
existence of over 350 known diseases and conditions in pedigree dogs (Gough and
Thomas, 2005). Whilst the UK Kennel Club, and many breed clubs, recognise there is
a need to ensure both the physical and behavioural health of pedigree dogs (Kisko,
2007), many breed standards are still linked to specific problems.
This study adapts the four principles of bioethics (Beauchamp & Childress, 1994) beneficence, non-malificence, autonomy and justice - to welfare ethics, and considers
whether the practice of selectively breeding pedigree dogs to meet breed standards is
compatible with these four principles. Questionnaires sent to the secretaries of 167
national breed societies investigated the society views of ethical aspects of dog
breeding, through an understanding of the current practices of breed clubs. Forty-
Two (24%) responses were returned, and 22 (13%) codes of ethics and rule books
were provided. Qualitative analysis was conducted on the content of the breed
society’s published rule books and codes of ethics.
Although efforts are being made to improve the health of pedigree dogs, current codes
of ethics, rule books and breed standards do not fully satisfy the principles of welfare
ethics, and only 21.4% considered these would be affected by the provisions of the
UK Animal Welfare Act 2006. These ethical issues need to be considered by the
pedigree dog world and have implications for the show standards for other species
(CAWC, 2006).
References:
Beauchamp, T. L., Childress, J. F. (1994). Principles of Biomedical Ethics. (Fourth
Edition) Oxford University Press.
CAWC 2006 Breeding and Welfare in Companion Animals: The Companion Animal
Working Group Report on Welfare Aspects of Modifications, through Selective
Breeding or Biotechnolohical Methods, to the Form, Function or Behaviour of
Companion Animals
http://www.cawc.org.uk/sites/default/files/CAWCModifications.pdf
Clutton_Brock, J. (1999) A Natural History of Domesticated Mammals. Cambridge
University Press.
Gough, A., Thomas, A. (2005). Breed Predisposition to Disease in Dogs and Cats.
Blackwell. Oxford.
Kisko, C. (2007) Crufts in good health in The Kennel Gazette. April issue.